Yuandian Hui Ethnic Township in Fangcheng County, Nanyang

Yuandian Hui Township is located in Fangcheng County (方城县), Nanyang City (南阳市), Henan Province (河南省). It is situated in the northwest of Fangcheng County, bordered to the east by Qinghe Township (清河乡), to the south by Zhaohe Town (赵河镇), and to the northwest by Liuhe Township (柳河乡). The area of the township is 35.38 square kilometers.

Historical Development

  • 1958: Yuandian was under the jurisdiction of Zhaohe Town.
  • 1976: It was transferred to the jurisdiction of Qinghe Township.
  • March 1988: Yuandian Hui Township was established.

Administrative Division

As of the end of 2011, Yuandian Hui Township included nine administrative villages:

  • Yuandian Village (袁店村)
  • Dajiangzhuang Village (大姜庄村)
  • Hewan Village (河湾村)
  • Shangtai Village (尚台村)
  • Hanshan Village (汉山村)
  • Zhuyuan Village (竹园村)
  • Shenzhuang Village (沈庄村)
  • Silijing Village (四里营村)
  • Xinxinzhuang Village (西新庄村)

By June 2020, the administrative structure remained the same, with the township government located in Yuandian Village. [3][2]

Geographic Environment

Location

Yuandian Hui Township is located in the northwest of Fangcheng County, bordered to the east by Qinghe Township, to the south by Zhaohe Town, and to the northwest by Liuhe Township. The township covers an area of 35.38 square kilometers.

Terrain and Topography

Yuandian Hui Township is situated on the boundary between the subtropical and warm temperate zones. The terrain features a higher elevation in the north and lower elevation in the south, with mountains, hills, and plains each occupying about one-third of the area. Notable mountains include Yinwo Mountain (银窝山) at 283 meters above sea level and Luohan Mountain (罗汉山) at 250 meters above sea level.

Climate

The township experiences a transitional monsoon climate between subtropical and warm temperate zones, characterized by distinct seasons:

  • Spring and Autumn: Mild weather.
  • Summer: Hot with concentrated rainfall.
  • Winter: Dry and cold.

The average annual temperature is 14.5°C. The growing season averages 265 days per year, with a frost-free period of 220 days. The area receives an average annual sunshine duration of 2,147.6 hours and a total radiation of 116.6 kilocalories per square centimeter. Annual precipitation averages 809.5 millimeters, with the majority of rainfall occurring between June and September, peaking in July.

Natural Resources

Yuandian Hui Township is rich in natural resources:

  • Silica Stone: The area has a reserve of 50 million tons, with local purity reaching over 98%.
  • Rutile: There are large rutile deposits in the northern part of the township, along with silica and rutile mineral resources.

In 2011, the township had 21,315 mu (approximately 14.21 square kilometers) of arable land, with an average of 1.25 mu (0.83 hectares) per capita. The area also includes 15,374 mu (approximately 10.24 square kilometers) of forest land.

Population

As of the end of 2011, Yuandian Hui Township had a total population of 17,011:

  • Males: 8,802 (51.7%)
  • Females: 8,209 (48.3%)
  • Under 14 years: 2,574 (15.1%)
  • Ages 15-64 years: 12,826 (75.4%)
  • Over 65 years: 1,611 (9.5%)

The population demographics are as follows:

  • Han ethnic group: 10,559 (62.1%)
  • Hui ethnic group: 6,452 (37.9%)

The birth rate was 10.6‰, the death rate was 6.1‰, and the natural population growth rate was 4.5‰. The population density was 493 people per square kilometer. By the end of 2017, the permanent population was 15,525. By the end of 2018, the registered population was 20,014.

Transportation

Yuandian Hui Township is accessible by several major routes:

  • By Car: Drive from Nanyang City to Fangcheng County and then follow local roads to Yuandian Township.
  • Public Transport: Local buses and taxis are available from Fangcheng County and surrounding areas to reach Yuandian Hui Township.

How to Get There

  • By Train: Take a train to Nanyang City and then transfer to local transportation to reach Fangcheng County. From there, local buses or taxis can be used to reach Yuandian.
  • By Car: Driving directly from Nanyang City to Yuandian is convenient. Follow the signs and main roads leading to Fangcheng County and then to Yuandian Township.
  • By Public Transport: Utilize local buses or taxis from neighboring towns to reach the township.

Travel Tips

  • Road Conditions: Main roads leading to Yuandian are generally in good condition. Check road conditions and travel advisories before starting your journey.
  • Local Transport: Public transport options within the township may be limited. It is advisable to arrange transportation in advance or use local taxis where available.

Cultural and Historical Aspects

Origin of the Name

Yuandian Hui Township is named after Yuandian Village, which serves as the seat of the township government.

Historical and Cultural Sites

  • Cultural Heritage: The area has various traditional Hui cultural practices and heritage sites, but specific historical landmarks within Yuandian are not widely documented.

Customs and Traditions

  • Hui Culture: The Hui people in Yuandian maintain rich cultural traditions, including unique festivals, traditional crafts, and culinary practices that reflect their Islamic heritage.

Exploring these traditions offers visitors insight into the cultural richness of the Hui community in the region.